The King's Bird

Developer Serenity Forge might not get away with the whole artistic storytelling approach in the backdrop, but up front, The King’s Bird — while not without some unnecessary frustration to begin with — does deliver, where it matters, on its challenge and integration of physics to end up a satisfying precision-platformer overall.

There are a few issues holding The King's Bird back from being a true standout hit, but those who like their platformers to be a bit avant-garde, should be able to appreciate this virtual ride, along with speed run enthusiasts.

The King's Bird has unfortunately a frustrating level design and a gameplay that lacks of precision. After some really pleasant initial moments, including flying features, the game unfortunately become too tricky for the player.

If you enjoy a challenging platformer, The King’s Bird will test your limits. Even if you don’t, it is at least important to note what the indie title is able to accomplish with its physics. Still, a lacking progression system, threading the needle difficulty, and bad camera work currently hold The King’s Bird back from being a great game, and it is instead merely a good one.

Handsomely silhouetted by muted ancient structures, The King’s Bird has you gliding, tumbling, and ricocheting through a voiceless world of wonder. Its momentum-based mechanic is a clever take on the platforming genre, providing as many moments of pure glee as moments of pure aggravation. The King’s Bird lacks the variety and detail necessary to elevate it into a masterwork, but it packs more than enough of a challenging punch to be worthy of a platforming enthusiasts’ attention.

Rich gameplay concepts and lush aesthetics caged by suffocating level design and a weak story. The constant clash between free, flowing movement and repetitive, often claustrophobic levels puts a damper on the entire experience.